It was founded in November 1920 as an independent bakery on Trumpington Street, Cambridge, taking its name from its location near Fitzwilliam Museum.[1]
Fitzbillies suffered from two bankruptcies, in 1980 and 2011, but in both cases recovered from the bankruptcy and resumed business. A fire in 1998 saw the bakery partially closed for two years.[2]
Following the 2011 bankruptcy, a public appeal by broadcaster and Cambridge alumnus Stephen Fry encouraged restaurateur Tim Hayward to buy Fitzbillies and reopen it.[3] Later Fitzbillies expanded to three locations, including Bridge Street (open 2016)[4] and King's Parade (open 2023).[5]
